Children’s Choirs at Immanuel

Children's & Youth Music Ministries:

• have a strong commitment to providing fun and fellowship with one another.
• focus on the process of becoming Christian stewards of our time and talent and developing singing and music reading skills.

Epiphany Choir, K - 2
Sundays, 10 - 10:30 a.m., Fellowship Hall.
Directed by Christina Orton

Ascension Choir, Grades 3 - 5
Wednesdays, 6:15 - 7 p.m., Room H.
Directed by Julie Summer

Cornerstone Choir, Grades 6 - 12
Wednesdays, 5:45 - 6:15 p.m. Music Room.
Directed by Barb Savereide

Holy Commotion, Grades 7 - 12
Wednesdays, 5:30 p.m.
Directed by Grace Porter
 

Meet our Directors

Barb Savereide

Barb Savereide and her family have been members of Immanuel for 20 years. For almost all of that time, Barb has directed one of the children’s or youth choirs! She currently serves as the director of Cornerstone Choir, the youth choir for grades 6-12.  She is a graduate of St Olaf College where she participated in Manitou Singers and the St Olaf Orchestra, as well as numerous chamber ensembles. Barb teaches private violin, viola and piano lessons out of her home. She has been the concertmaster of the Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra for the past 20 years.  For the past 5 years, she has enjoyed subbing with the South Dakota Symphony. Barb continues to be an active freelancer throughout the Twin Cities. She also enjoys sharing her talents at Immanuel.

Julie Summer

Julie grew up in Eden Prairie and has been a member of Immanuel since childhood (1992) where she participated in Children's choirs under the direction of Joan Meyer and shared piano works in worship.  She studied music in high school at the Perpich Center for Arts Education and studied under Ken Huber from Carleton College.  Julie attended Luther College in Decorah, Iowa where she participated in the Cantorei Choir and studied music under Professor John Strauss.  After college Julie composed original piano works and released two CD's, taught piano lessons for 10 years and held the position of Contemporary Worship Leader at Atonement Lutheran Church, Bloomington, MN for 2 years.  Julie is married to Jesaiah Summer and recently adopted a daughter, Zoe (age 10) who was baptized at Immanuel on Palm Sunday in 2022! :)  In her free time Juli volunteers with Rabbit Rescue of MN (foster rabbits, provide grooming services, capture dumped bunnies in neighborhoods).  Her families has 2 Cocker Spaniels (Minnie and Fence - age 12.5), three resident rabbits (Brownie, Peeka and Rovie - age 2.5), and 6 foster rabbits.

Christina Orton

When Christina was about 2 years old, she decided to join the adult choir at her home church in Woodbridge, Virginia by marching right into the front row during a rehearsal and began singing her ABCs with the lyrics of “E-I-E-I-E-I-O” at the top of her lungs.  And thus began her musical career.  Christina later went on to East Carolina University where she received a Bachelor of Music in Music Education and Music Therapy, and her Masters of Music in Violin Performance and Pedagogy (Suzuki).   She taught Elementary school music and Middle School Orchestra in North Carolina for the greater part of her twenties before meeting Ben Orton who swept her off her feet through his ability to sing in tune and his sharp wit and zeal for life in handsome Air Force uniform.  

In addition to directing the Epiphany choir, Christina currently teaches private violin, viola, and piano lessons in her home studio, and Music and Movement classes in EP and Chan.  She is a violinist with the Wayzata Symphony Orchestra, has played with the CVFT, subs with the Bloomington Symphony and other wedding/church events, and enjoys sharing her music often at Immanuel. She is eager to share God’s musical blessings, and to help the children of Immanuel find their comfort in CHRIST, and love for one another through their powerful gift of music.  This is now Christina’s 6th year as director of the Immanuel Epiphany Choir, and with each year, loves helping the JOY of children’s voices fill the hearts of our congregation.  Soli Deo Gloria!